"We each hold the power, in our words, our actions, our daily acts of kindness," in combating extremism and racism, Jacinda Ardern told the National Remembrance Service for the victims of the Christchurch terrorist attack today.
Wearing a korowai, the Prime Minister addressed the standing crowd in Christchurch, paying tribute to the 50 people who lost their lives at two mosques on March 15.
"We gather here 14 days on from our darkest of hours, in the days that have followed the terrorist attack on the 15th of March we have often found ourselves without words.
The star travelled to New Zealand to perform for the victims of the March 15 terrorist attack.
"What word adequately express the pain and suffering of 50 men, women and children lost? And so many injured," she asked.
"What words capture the anguish of our Muslim community being the target of hatred and violence? What words express the grief of a city that has already experienced so much pain?"
She said she thought there were none.
"Then I came here and was met with a simple greeting, As-salāmu alaykum, peace be upon you."
The Kiwi singer’s waiata was one of a handful of musical performances at today’s memorial.
"They were words spoken by a community who in the face of hate and violence had every right to express anger, but instead opened their doors for all of us to grieve with them."
She said the words have left "us humbled, and left us united".
Ms Ardern said there was a responsibility "to be the place we wish to be, a place that is diverse, that is welcoming, that is kind and compassionate".
"Those values represent the very best of us. But even the ugliest of viruses can exist in places they are not welcome."
She said racism exists, "but it is not welcome here".
"Violence and extremism in all its forms is not welcome here. Over the last two weeks, we have shown that. You have shown that in your actions."
She mentioned the thousands of people who attended vigils, "to the 94-year-old man who took four buses to attend a rally because he couldn't sleep from the sadness from seeing the hurt and suffering of others".
"As we go from here, we have work to do, but do not leave the job of combating hate to the Government, alone. We each hold the power, in our words, our actions, our daily acts of kindness."
"Let that be the legacy of the 15th of March, to be the nation we believe ourselves to be."
She called for a global response to ending the cycle of extremism.
"We cannot confront these issues alone... The answer lies within our humanity."
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